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The Detroit Lions got better in the draft. Here's how their NFC North rivals fared

Hope springs eternal and there’s no better example of unbridled optimism in sports than the NFL draft.

The Detroit Lions universally received high marks for their 2020 draft class. But now it’s time to see how the three other teams in the NFC North did in the draft and how it helped their outlook for the season.

Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet (84) celebrates an 8-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in South Bend, Ind.(Photo: Carlos Osorio, AP)

How they stand: The Bears addressed their most urgent need — quarterback (backup or starter depending on your belief in Mitchell Trubisky) — in the offseason by trading a fourth-round compensatory pick to Jacksonville for former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. They didn’t have a first-round pick because of the 2018 trade for Khalil Mack.

They made a strange choice with their first pick by taking Kmet when they have tons of tight ends on the roster, including former Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham. But they addressed a pressing need at cornerback with Johnson and likely further beefed up their eighth-ranked defense with a fumble-producer like Gipson.

There’s only so much a team can do in the draft with seven picks and no first-rounder. But the Bears spread their picks well across both sides of the ball and gave themselves a good chance to rebound from last year’s hugely disappointing 8-8 finish.

Utah State quarterback Jordan Love looks to pass during the first half of the Frisco Bowl NCAA college football game against Kent State Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, in Frisco, Texas.(Photo: Branddon Wade, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

How they stand: Picking Love sent a seismic shock through the NFL. The Packers signaled they’re ready to move on from franchise icon Aaron Rodgers, a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer who just last season led them to a 13-3 record, one win from the Super Bowl. With the Packers on the cusp of a championship, it’s hard to understand why they would spend their first pick on such a low-level need.

The jury is very much out on Love, who took a step back from his marvelous 2018 season. If he turns out to be the next Patrick Mahomes, general manager Brian Gutekunst will end up looking like a genius. If he doesn’t, Gutekunst could end up looking for another job.

The Packers want to emphasize the run, so the Love pick makes some sense if team evaluators think Love’s the real deal and too good to pass up. With the Packers’ first three picks coming on offense and another three devoted to the offensive line, it’s clear the team wants to fortify an offense that ranked 18th in yards and scoring.

How they stand: With the most picks in the draft, the Vikings went after every position except running back and tight end. The most obvious need they filled was with Jefferson, who will be expected to step in for Stefon Diggs, who was traded to Buffalo.

Cleveland was considered a good value pick in the second round, and keep your eye on Dye, since Mike Zimmer knows how to mold linebackers into superb weapons in the double-A gap blitz.

With all this new personnel and the potential it brings, it’s hard to imagine a 10-6 playoff team didn’t get better; they could be the favorite to win the division.

Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.